MDDI's Response to PQ on Proposal for Higher Compensation for Local Authors and Publishers for Books Provided to NLB Libraries for Public Borrowing

Parliament Sitting on 4 March 2026

Question for Oral Answer

*25 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information in view that the Ministry has previously declined considering a Public Lending Rights scheme for libraries under the National Library Board (NLB), whether the Ministry will consider compensating local authors and 13 publishers with higher remuneration for the books they provided to NLB libraries for the purpose of public borrowing.

Answer

 The National Library Board (NLB) supports local authors and publishers by buying books and promoting them. All our libraries carry Singapore Collections to ensure that Singaporeans have access to local books and perspectives.

NLB pays fair value for the books it acquires, whether local or foreign. Paying above market prices would simply mean buying fewer copies or titles. This will limit its ability to meet the varied needs of library users.

Instead, NLB supports local authors and publishers through a broader range of initiatives to raise awareness of Singapore Literature, authors and publishers. Working with many partners across the local literary ecosystem, these efforts include supporting book launches and facilitating the sale of books by local authors at selected events. NLB will continue with such efforts to build a vibrant reading ecosystem in Singapore.

*Converted to written